Bird Grooming - Wings, Beaks & Nails

Contact your veterinarian to schedule a grooming appointment. During the grooming appointment be sure to ask for information and tips, in case you want to try it yourself at home the next time.

Imitate the Wild

Unlike the wild, caged environments tend to have only smooth surfaces. Give your bird toys that more closely imitate the rough natural surfaces found in the wild so that they have a chance to file their
beak and nails more naturally.

The grooming that is necessary for birds is something that may get overlooked, since typically we don't let them constantly roam freely around our houses like with other pets. However, just because they are set on a perch safe within their cages doesn't mean that their maintenance should be any less. Just like other pets they require regular upkeep and caring attention.

To care for a bird properly, it must be acknowledged that at some point its wings and nails may need to be clipped. It's best to seek a consultation from your veterinarian before trying to take matters into your own hands or you could be left with a very unhappy feathered friend with damage to its wings, and a mess of feathers.

Your bird's beak and nails both need to be filed, trimmed and clipped from time to time. If they aren't, too long of length can be uncomfortable and harmful for their everyday living.

Clipping wings is another matter to be conscious of depending on what kind of bird you have. Not all birds can be treated in the same way due to their wing size, the amount of molting each bird goes through and what happens when their wings are clipped. Make sure you educate yourself about your bird and what type of grooming care is best to maintain, since every bird will have slightly different requirements.

If you aren't already sure about the best grooming care for your pet bird, don't postpone finding out! Your local veterinarian is more than happy to assist you in determining the best grooming habits for you and your feathered friends. Not only will proper grooming keep your feathered friend happy and looking pretty, it will also provide the necessary preventative care for the future health of your bird.